barefoot happiness (Lindsey)

I love to be barefoot - around my house, on the patio, in my office, on a photo shoot. Yes, I've even popped my shoes off at the barn but let's not get into details about how stupid that is. Sometimes you need to take of your shoes and feel the ground under your feet. I just may do this more than others.

This would be example "A" of my barefoot obsession. I like to photograph my feet in locations that have meaning to me or have shown me how far I've come in my life. This one was taken in a creek at Camp McDowell in Alabama.

But I digress...

Where am I going with this? oh yeah - barefoot. So, since my last post I've had a battle with poison ivy and the flu (in the summer!!). Needless to say training was adjusted if not put on hold for a bit. I finally got back on track last week and felt the need to push myself to makeup for lost time. This left me a little exhausted on Thursday for my short run. Finishing up my last couple of miles I thought, "hey, take off your shoes woman! The soft grass will feel great on your feet." It was just the rejuvenation I needed. I don't know what it is about running through the grass (albeit was the football field) that makes you feel like a deer springing across an open field. It's magic. Plus the wet grass feels so good when it's so hot outside. I can't believe I haven't done more shoeless running. Adam (my glorious trainer) had mentioned it last year when I was working on my stride. I tried it once, maybe twice but found it somewhat difficult and really awkward. I remember only being able to last a couple laps around the track. Thursday I flew through a couple miles like it wasn't a big deal. (I see progress!) No, I don't think you will see me sporting vibram 5 finger shoes (although I do love my quasi minimal running shoes - PureCadence by Brooks) but that doesn't mean I won't be treating myself to some barefoot running at the end of a long week.

95 Days to go

Currently running to - Ke$ha - TiK ToK

Revival (Lindsey)

It didn't take me long to sign up for my next marathon... a few weeks I think. Funny how I have no desire to run another half but jump at the chance to sign up for my next full. I love the challenge that a marathon presents and equate my desire to run these things with what it must be like for a drug addict. Just one more hit, one more. I'll do better this time, I swear.

The past four months have been a blur of life changes and I'm hoping my training schedule will help settle things down for a bit. Part of those changes includes my partner in running crime, Heather, moving away. While she is only a couple hours away, it feels like I've lost my right arm. Running partners are huge, especially when you have the best one. They push you when you need a push, encourage you and toughen you up. Heather is all of those things. She also is a fellow headphones runner and is only down for a chat when stopping for a drink (also clutch in my list of perfect partner qualities). Sigh. Austin, the other part of our trio, is still in town thank goodness. I'm hopeful I can talk her into some long runs but we will see. The weather is brutal this summer and I totally understand any lack of desire to go run in it.

Heather did finish her first marathon this past month. I couldn't be more proud of this girl. Before she takes the ID world by storm with her doctor brilliance, Heather made sure she finished what she set out to do so many months ago. After our run in Austin, Heather continued to train and on June 10th we ran the H H Country Ghetto Marathon. Seriously, this girl is a rock star. She ran a marathon in the middle of nowhere and without a cheering crowd! That is tough.

This was base camp. Heather ran the first half solo and then Austin jumped in (with broken toe) for the second half. I ran with them the last 8 and Heather's hubby jumped in for bits in between and at the end.

The HHCGM official gear.

Heather crossing the finish line (made courtesy of Michael with twine).

Welcome to the 0.1% Heather!! So proud of you!

Her run was truly inspiring and I know I'll be holding onto that to get me through the next 4 months. D-day for me is October 28th for the Marine Corps Marathon. I actually can't wait to do this all over again (am I really typing that? Perhaps I'm still delirious from my long run this morning...). I know this journey is going to be different from the last one (and some of that is a good thing - no injuries this time!) but I'm sure going to miss all the fun I had during the last one. So cheers (holding up my glass of water) to new goals, new memories, a new journey, and my dear running partners - Aussie and Heather.

stay tuned...

Days to go: 112
Currently running to Girl Talk